It Never Rhines but It Pours Read Online Free Page A

talk?”
    “Because,” I said stubbornly, “that’s the way we do it here in America. Innocent until proven guilty.”
    “He is guilty, Piper. He killed humans in a way that risks exposing the magic world. He has to die.”
    I frowned, “It just doesn’t seem right. If he hadn’t used magic he wouldn’t have to die?”
    “No,” Cecily said carefully, “he wouldn’t have to be executed by the Guardians. The humans would get to deal with him. Would you rather him get to sit in comfort on Death Row for the rest of his life?”
    I sighed. This was what I had signed on for and I knew it. I just didn’t feel right about it. “I still think he should get to say something before he dies. Maybe he has a message he would like passed on to his family.
“Or maybe he will blurt out a curse to kill all of us,” Cecily argued.
    “Can they do that?” Sarah asked.
    Cecily shrugged, “They might be able to. Are you willing to risk it?”
    Sarah looked at me. “It’s up to you, Piper.”
    I looked at Pravus. He was kneeling in the mud, rain dripping from his hair into his face, eyes following each of us as we spoke. I made my choice.
    “He should be allowed to speak before we execute him.”
    Cecily made a sound of exasperation but stepped back, sword still out and ready. “Go ahead,” she griped.
    “You may speak now,” I commanded.
    Pravus met my gaze squarely and glared, “What would you have me say, abominor?”
    I blinked, not the gratitude I had been expecting, but then I was getting ready to kill him. “I don’t know,” I said. “Do you have any last words?”
    “What does it matter?” he spat. “You have made yourself judge, jury, and executioner. What is there left for me to say?”
    I frowned, “You murdered two high school students. That’s enough right there to execute you. But you also used magic to do it. How stupid can you be? You had to know that the Guardians would come for you.”
    Pravus sank back on his heels. “So you say. Think about it, abominor. I had to know that the Guardians would come for me.”
    Sarah stared at him, “What are you saying?”
    Cecily cut in, “You can never trust a witch. He is guilty.”
    “Is he?” Sarah asked. “Because I didn’t really read the case report. How do you know he did it?”
    “The police believe he did it,” Cecily snarled, “that’s enough for me. He is also the only witch in this area who is powerful enough to work a death spell alone.”
    “Well?” I looked at Pravus.
    “Well what?” he sneered.
    “Did you do it?”
    “Why do you care?” he said. “You’ve made up your minds. Just kill me and get this over with.”
    “Alright then,” Cecily said and raised her sword.
    “Hold on!” I cried. “We can’t just kill him if he didn’t do it!”
    “Piper! He did it! We know he did it. It’s our job to execute him! Do you know what happens to Guardians who don’t do their job?”
    Sarah and I turned on her, “What?” we both said.
    “What happens to Guardians who don’t do their job?” I asked.
    Cecily sighed, “If we don’t execute him, the Synod will send Guardians to execute all of us.”
    “What!” Sarah shrieked. “Kill him now, then!”
    “Whoa!” I stepped forward between Cecily and Pravus. She had already started her swing and stumbled at bit to keep from slicing me. “That’s not a reason to kill him.”
    “Not a reason!” Sarah yelled. “Piper, he’s guilty, we have to execute him. Let’s just get this over with!”
    “You just said that you hadn’t read the police report and didn’t know!” I yelled back.
    “That was before my life was on the line!”
    “That makes a difference?”
    “Hell, yeah, it makes a difference!”
    Pravus was observing all of this with disdain. He rolled his eyes, “You people are so professional. Are you going to kill me or not?”
    “Did you do it or not?” I demanded.
    “No!” he snapped back. “I didn’t do it. But that won’t stop you from taking my